Viacheslav Prokopovych in the Struggle for Ukrainian Statehood and the National Idea: Touches to the Portrait of a Political Figure and Scientist

The purpose of the article is to refl ect the life path of the Ukrainian public and political fi gure, historian Viacheslav Prokopovych (1881–1942) to study his contribution to the struggle for Ukrainian statehood during the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917–1921 as well as in political exile in Poland and France. The methodological basis of the research included the consistent application of the principles of historicism, objectivity, systemic and interdisciplinary approaches, and comparative studies. The use of the biographical method in combination with the methods of source analysis and synthesis made it possible to consider the life of V. Prokopovych in the context of social and political events, through the prism of interpersonal communication, professional, and family environment. The scientifi c novelty of the research lies in the fact that it is based on the study and comparative analysis of V. Prokopovych's archival and published heritage. It highlighted the formation of personality, signifi cant milestones of his life and activity, participation in the Ukrainian public, political, cultural, and educational movement, activity as Prime Minister of the Government of the Ukrainian People`s Republic during the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917–1921 and the period of emigration. In the formation of the research source base, an important role was assigned to the analysis and introduction into the scientifi c circulation of documents' information from the V. Prokopovych's personal archives, which is preserved in the fonds of the Symon Petliura Ukrainian Library in Paris. Conclusions. V. Prokopovych, taking an active role in the Ukrainian political and cultural movement from the beginning of the 20th century, made a signifi cant contribution to the struggle for Ukrainian statehood, defending Ukrainian national interests and values as a politician, statesman, public fi gure, journalist, and historian. He held key positions in the Government of the Ukrainian People's Republic, being the Minister of Education and Prime Minister. During the period of his forced political emigration, he actively participated in the development of the Government of the Ukrainian People's Republic in exile, and he was one of the founders and a long-time editor of the weekly Tryzub, the creator and chairman of the Council of the Symon Petliura Ukrainian Library in Paris. His scientifi c, publicist, and archival heritage represents a signifi cant public interest and requires deep study.